The poets aim is either to profit or to please, or to…
“The poets aim is either to profit or to please, or to blend in one the delightful and the useful. Whatever the lesson you would convey, be brief, that your hearers may catch quickly what is said and faithfully retain it. Every superfluous word is spilled from the too-full memory.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Poetry should be concise, useful, and delightful, avoiding unnecessary words that overload memory.
In simple terms: Poetry must be brief and useful.
Key Takeaway
Write succinctly and purposefully.
Themes
literature
clarity
efficiency
Mood
analytical
instructive
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- teaching
- public speaking
- writing workshops
Key Concepts
rhetoric
memory limits
Questions to Reflect On
- How to balance brevity and depth?
- When is elaboration appropriate?
A Different Perspective
Brevity may limit depth or artistic expression.